Lake Kivu tourism to be overhauled

On the heels of the regional tripartite single tourism visa system, stakeholders in the sector have embarked on an ambitious plan to overhaul the potential of Lake Kivu to boost sector revenue.

The lake is arguably one the most beautiful water bodies in EAC.

Improving tourism infrastructure around Lake Kivu, in Western Province, will boost the tourism industry in the country thus increasing revenues from the sector,

The Kivu-belt tourism sub-master plan, as the study is known, was developed “in order to transform the region around Kivu into one of the most competitive tourist destinations in the region

The Kivu belt adds to the existing Congo-Nile trail, a 227-kilometre stretch from Rubavu to Rusizi districs via Karongi and Nyamasheke districts in Western Province. The 10 days hiking trail offers many delights for a tourist, such as coffee and tea routes and natural beaches along the shores of Lake Kivu, among others.

Kivu Belt asphalt road project links five districts in the province – Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro and Rubavu – and connects Rwanda to neighboring country of DR Congo.